By Edward Adamidenyo, Abuja Bureau Chief
The federal government appears to be scoring big hits against terrorists in Nigeria as the Defence Headquarters (DHQ) on Thursday disclosed that troops of Operation Hadin Kai and its Air Component have killed 120 fighters and a provincial commander including foreign mercenaries and arrested 50 terrorists in three weeks.
Troops said they also uncovered and destroyed an improvised explosive device (IED) industrial complex owned by the Islamic State of West Africa Province, (ISWAP). The troops said the complex is used to manufacture IEDs.
It also disclosed that a provincial ISWAP commander, Mallam Ari, the Amirul Fiya in charge of Kirta Wulgo and some foreign mercenaries fabricating Improvised Explosive Devices for the terrorist were killed during the airstrike.
Director Defence Media Operations, Major General Benard Onyeuko made this disclosure while briefing Defence correspondent in Abuja.
This is even as he dismissed comments credited to Governor of Borno State, Prof. Babagana Zulum who said that the Islamic States West African Province (ISWAP) terrorists have the propensity to overran Nigeria if urgent step is not taken to curtail their growing capacity.
General Onyeuko howeversaid that the Armed Forces of Nigeria (AFN), would not join issues with politicians.
General Onyeuko said the air strikes on ISWAP enclaves at Abbaganaram, Bukar Mairam, Chukum Gudu and Jubilaram in Marte Local Government Area killed scores of terrorists including high profile Commanders while about 25 terrorists got drowned in the lake in an attempt to escape the bombardment.
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He disclosed that the ISWAP armoury and warehouse were also destroyed as some of them were arrested. Troops also recovered assorted arms, ammunition and captured the terrorists gun trucks and other weapons.
He added that livestocks and other items of security concern were recovered and rescued abducted civilians.
According to Onyeuko, “Cumulatively, the troops within the period under review, neutralized 120 fighters, arrested 50 of the terrorists, 5 gun trucks, 50 assorted arms and 200 rounds of different calibers of ammunition were captured from the terrorists. Additionally, troops rescued 25 abducted civilians.
“Similarly, a total of 965 terrorists and their families and 550 children surrendered to own troops deployed at different location including: Gamboru, Tumbumma, Kukawa, Baga, Gwoza, Mallam Fotori, Damboa, Kirta Wulgo, Bun Yadi, Gujiba, Madiya all in Borno and Yobe State. It is noteworthy to state that out of the 965 terrorists that surrendered within the period under review 104 are from ISWAP Camp that surrendered to own troops at Marte”.
He explained that the surrendered terrorist have been properly documented and handed over to the appropriate authorities for necessary action.
He said that in the past 3 weeks, significant results were recorded in all theatre of operations across the country, within the given period.
He noted that the brief covered the operational activities of own troops and other security agencies conducting operations to tackle insecurity in the country between 20 January – 10 February 22.
According to him: “Own troops consolidated their operational success against Boko Haram and Islamic State West Africa Province Terrorist (ISWAP) in the last 3 weeks. Some of the areas which the operations were conducted are; Bama, Gwoza, Monguno, Kanduga, Damboa, Damasak, Gudumbali and Nganzi Local Government Area. Kukawa, Chibok as well as Sambisa Forest, Kirta Wulgo in Marte Local Government of Borno State. Troops also recorded significant results at various locations in Adamawa and Yobe State around Goniri in Gujba Local Government Area of Yobe State. Notably the air interdiction that eliminated several ISWAP Commanders and their fighters during the encounter are worthy of mention”.
